GLOBE Telecom is ramping up its investments in Mindanao by expanding high-speed internet infrastructure across the Basulta (Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) region as part of a broader strategy to enhance digital access and fuel economic activity in underserved areas. Central to the initiative is a 48-core, 175-kilometer submarine cable project designed to link Zamboanga to Isabela City in Basilan and then to Sulu. The project involves the installation of submarine cables, inland and fronthaul systems, landing station and access transport networks, along with the deployment of new core and access nodes, to bolster both broadband and mobile services. According to Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz, “This is more than infrastructure. It is a bridge to opportunity. As data consumption rises beyond 30GB per user each month, we are expanding fiber and broadband not just to connect homes, but to empower small businesses and fuel the broader digital economy.” Globe expects the submarine cable survey to commence in early 2026, with full construction slated by mid-2027. Once operational, Isabela City will serve as a resilient, high-capacity internet hub for the region. The rollout also complements government initiatives under the National Broadband Plan, aimed at improving digital inclusion in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Reliable connectivity is transformative, according to Jowin Marquez, senior director and territory lead for Globe’s Network Technical Group, as it opens doors for education, supports local enterprises, and helps communities participate fully in the digital economy. Over the last three years, Globe has invested P228 billion in capital expenditure and P236 billion in operating expenses to strengthen and future-proof its network across the country. The telco’s broadband segment is continuing to expand, driven by the growth of GFiber prepaid, a reloadable, no-contract internet service that expanded 53 percent in early 2025 and has now reached 400,000 homes. Globe now has 1.83 million broadband subscribers nationwide. With the strategic infrastructure rollout, Globe aims to reinforce economic growth in Mindanao, expand market reach, and enable local communities to participate more fully in the digital economy. By improving regional connectivity, the telco is creating digital bridges that will empower communities and stimulate local businesses.
